Billy King spoke with western Massachusetts media Monday morning about the Nets impending takeover of the Springfield Armor basketball operations and said the first order of business is finding a coach and an assistant to run the team.  The Nets take over May 1.

"At this time I spoke to Dee Brown and I spoke to his assistant Kevin Whitted and I told them at this time we would be looking for coaches,'' King said on a conference call. "They will be candidates, they will not be ruled out.''

Brown, a former Celtic, is the only coach the two-year-old franchise has ever had.  His record is 20-80 but Nets insiders understand he has little to work with.  One insider said the team has additional candidates beyond Brown and Whitted, but didn't identify them.

King said the Nets hope to have both hired by the NBA Draft on June 23. The Armor's two coaches and two trainers will be Nets employees. Others may be hired as well. Also, The Nets will be able to sign up to three training camp invitees cut from the NBA roster directly to Springfield, if they choose to play in the D-League.

• New Jersey Nets to open search for Springfield Armor coaches - Jeff Thomas - Springfield Republican
  
• Nets Now Shopping for Two - Ben Couch - New Jersey Nets